Dutchmen on the Pattaya market

Here in Pattaya there are many markets, a social meeting place, the same everywhere in the world. We Dutch have also found such a place here on the Tuesday and Friday market.

Markets always attract people. Many are there, cafes, eateries and coffee shops. My first market love arose very early on with a James Bond film, partly in this Thailand included, also in the klongs. I like the Thai smile with the sneakiness behind it. It was already clear to me, I will visit that country!

In 1981 I bought my first ticket to Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia and I also ended up in Pattaya. I visited the first markets here. You didn't have large supermarkets here yet and barely paved streets. The Beachroad, Walking Street and Soi post office were the only ones paved. Visiting happened with an almost inevitable holiday romance. This was followed by nine more holidays to the land of smiles.

Markets also had to do with my profession, first as a ship's cook, a lot of disturbance due to a small coaster and also the 20 years with my own snack bar that I ran in the Hoekse Waard until mid-2005. Because I married a Dutch woman who disliked had everything to do with Thailand. For example if I said, with my Thai girlfriend I could do it 4 or 5 times. After 15 years of a "fighting relationship" with the terrible result, I also lost my daughter.

I decided to go to Thailand again for vacation and was dating again within 5 minutes as usual. Due to a muscle problem in my entire right arm, I was rejected. The specialist recommended a warm country to me and was able to sell my business in a silent takeover to a member of staff.

The Baht was around 50 euros and a house in Pattaya was quickly bought. Then looking for a local pub, to Jomtien, Naklua and the end of Pattaya-Klang, just a little too far on the bike. And I wanted, just like in my step time, a market cafe, to talk about football, politics, our women, etc. The Dolphin was a suitable location, but Rob sold it and with the successor, it was a fiasco with very bad staff.

We found 40 meters further on the right, the former Smooth café. Fine, cold beer and a lady in the service, who made few mistakes. She babbled English pretty well and looked pretty, and the choice as a local pub was quickly made. Halfway through last year the owner stopped and Noi took over. Particularly because of my pieces on the Pattaya bulletin boards, the clientele of compatriots had increased considerably. I also asked them to come up with another name, which was something typically Dutch. This is how the name 'The Mill' was born. Decoration material via Dutch customers and windmills via the internet. Other ideas are, for example, birthdays, book exchange, magazines and films, pool billiards, cards and small Dutch snacks for drinks. Nothing new as this also happened in several cases. In the meantime she also has a Dutch catering man as a friend and we pray Buddha that she unlearns her own readiness and listens to us a bit, because there are about 6 ex catering people in our group. Outside drinking and talking, sometimes something happens!

A wonderful anecdote is; I'll just call Mr A and B. They got into a lot of words and didn't want to see each other anymore. By chance they met again. Immediately disagreement again and there was some pushing and pulling. A did not accept this and alerted the police. Both were expected on the desk! A was allowed to claim compensation and asked for 2 baht in the second instance. This was assigned. However, B did not have a dime in his pocket, in front of the police and a witness, to A, Can you advance me that 5.000 baht? This was a story by Huib den Tuinder with thanks on behalf of all market fans.

Criticism

I recently received some stupid criticism for my 'Pattaya has it all' column. This compatriot reproached me that there was not a good Dutch restaurant and I have to fight this very seriously. Mister had apparently never heard of Mata Hari leading the way in Pattaya for over 20 years. And our Dutch top chef, Dessi de Vries, who has a very respectable track record, works at our neighbor Manhattan. He was chef in various 1 and 2 Michellin star restaurants and chef of the Royal House and has made their prakkie for many heads of state and presidents. Dessi also worked in many countries at 5 stars hotels and now holds sway at Restaurant Manhattan under new management.

It is also good to stay in the many other Dutch restaurants in Pattaya and Jomtien, although of a lesser class, but nevertheless usually very acceptable. In any case, I have little to complain about, as do most compatriots, so ask politely whether this gentleman would first do his homework before delivering this silly criticism that will get you down. Some people are so difficult that they can't find it anywhere. It's about the most pluses sir and if you can find more elsewhere, please let me know.

On Good Luck

The year 2011 may have started very turbulently with many problems in the Middle East and the terrible disaster in Japan, but it also has its downside if you are superstitious. 2011 is a very special year with no less than 5 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the month of July. This happens once every 823 years and the Chinese call such a year a Money Bag. Their superstitions are as follows; Send this story to 8 acquaintances you wish and within 4 days luck will smile on you and the money will roll in. If this chain reaction stops, nothing will happen at all and you will remain on black seed. You do your best because never a shot is always wrong and the Chinese continue to believe in fairy tales and think that once in your life you get a financial windfall.

Live music

On Thursday, March 24, there will be a one-off performance by the Dutch singer Jaques Kloes of the Dizzy Mans Band in Restaurant Ons Moeder, starting at 20.00 p.m. This band was very popular in the late sixties and seventies and had a mega hit at the time with: “The Opera”, Jumo, The Show, etc. Our native Troubadour Gerbrand will also be present who will perform his new single; “They are all the same” will sound. Lots of musical fun.

Scammed!

A good friend of mine got cheated on E-Bay. He ordered a penis enlarger over the internet, but the scammers sent him a magnifying glass. And so our picket anasia had a great disillusionment.

A good marriage?

Marriage is the biggest cause of problems in the world and I still don't understand why people have to get married quickly if necessary and above all. For some it is a form of financial gain or uncertainty, for others fear of losing the partner, and for most it is often jealousy. In other words; Now you are only mine. We all know that this doesn't work, not in the emancipated world, but also not in the Thai world because most butterflies from one to the other unfortunately my experience.

I've already experienced some tears, but I'm also friends with a few lucky people who don't want to know anything about a permanent partner and who cherish their freedom. I have little to complain about, but sometimes envy these lucky guys, because a long-term marriage is frustrating and difficult. The first year, the female usually listens to the male. The second year, the man listens to the woman. By the third year, they usually no longer listen to each other, but to their neighbors or their friends. Tip:: To avoid these problems, stay each other's friends or neighbors because there are already enough fight divorces.